Sample transfer device

Abstract

A transfer device including means for movement of samples from a plurality of sites of a first separation to a plurality of sites of a second, different, separation, said means comprising a plurality of sampling elements capable of movement with respect to one another between said first separation and said second separation. The sample transfer device is particularly suited to the transfer of blood samples in blood grouping or other determinations. A method of sample transfer is also provided.

We claim: 
     
       1. A transfer device for moving samples between a plurality of sites of a first separation and a plurality of sites of a second, different, separation, said device comprising a linear guide member, a plurality of supporting elements mounted along said linear guide member to form a linear array of supporting elements, and sampling probe supporting means for supporting at least one sampling probe provided on each said supporting element, wherein said supporting elements are positionable along said linear guide member in a first position in which said supporting elements are generally in abutment and said sampling probe supporting means have a first, minimum separation, and in a second position in which said supporting elements are spaced apart and said sampling probe supporting means have a second, maximum separation, and wherein each said supporting element carries an actuating element which cooperates with an adjacent supporting element, each said actuating element being arranged to determine the spacing between two adjacent supporting elements when said supporting elements are in their second position and thereby to determine said maximum separation of said sampling probe supporting means. 
     
     
       2. A transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising a shoulder formed on each said supporting element with which the actuating element of an adjacent supporting element engages, wherein each said actuating element comprises an arm attached to a respective one of said supporting elements and a lip carried by said arm, and wherein each said arm extends away from its respective supporting element such that in said second, spaced apart position of said supporting elements, the shoulder of each supporting element is engaged by the lip of the actuating element of an adjacent supporting element whereby the arm of said adjacent supporting element determines said maximum separation of said sampling probe supporting means. 
     
     
       3. A transfer device according to claim 1, wherein said supporting elements are substantially indentical, and wherein each said supporting element comprises a member having first and second, spaced, opposed external surfaces, the first external surface of said supporting element being generally in abutment with the second external surface of an adjacent supporting element when said supporting elements are in their first position. 
     
     
       4. A transfer device according to claim 3, wherein at least one aperture extends through said member of each supporting element from the first external surface to the second external surface thereof, and wherein said linear guide member comprises at least one elongate guide rail which is arranged to extend through said one aperture of each said supporting element whereby said supporting elements are mounted along said guide rail to form said linear array, and such that said supporting elements are slidable along said guide rail. 
     
     
       5. A transfer device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of arrays of supporting elements, wherein each said array is linear and is provided with means arranged to cooperate with an adjacent array of supporting elements. 
     
     
       6. A transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device is operably linked to a computer such that data related to a sample in a sampling probe at a first site may be related to the same sample when moved to a second site. 
     
     
       7. A transfer device for moving samples between a plurality of sites of a first separation and a plurality of sites of a second, different, separation, said device comprising a linear guide member, a plurality of supporting elements mounted along said linear guide member to form a linear array of supporting elements, and a plurality of sampling probes, each said sampling probe being carried by a respective one of said supporting elements, wherein said supporting elements are positionable along said linear guide member in a first position in which said supporting elements are generally in abutment and said sampling probes have a first, minimum separation, and in a second position in which said supporting elements are spaced apart and said sampling probes have a second, maximum separation, wherein said supporting elements are substantially identical and each carries an actuating element in the form of an arm carrying a lip, and wherein each said supporting element has a shoulder formed thereon with which the lip of the actuating element of an adjacent supporting element is arranged to engage, each said lip being arranged to engage said respective shoulder when said supporting elements are in their second position whereby the arms of said actuating elements determine said maximum separation of said sampling probes. 
     
     
       8. A transfer device according to claim 7, further comprising at least one aperture extending through each said supporting element, and wherein said linear guide member comprises at least one elongate guide rail which is arranged to extend through said one aperture of each said supporting element whereby said supporting elements are mounted along said guide rail to form said linear array, and such that said supporting elements are slidable along said guide rail. 
     
     
       9. A transfer device according to claim 8, further comprising means for moving at least one said supporting element along said guide rail, and wherein said actuating elements are arranged such that movement of one supporting element away from an adjacent supporting element causes engagement between the shoulder and lip of the adjacent supporting element and thereby moves the adjacent supporting element.